Word of the Day 02/17/2014

Bifurcate

verb
ˈbīfərˌkāt/
1.
divide into two branches or forks.
"just below Cairo the river bifurcates"
adjective
bīˈfərkāt,ˈbīfərkit/
1.
forked; branched.
"a bifurcate tree"

The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.

Song of the Week 02/17/2014

I was thinking of what song could be fit into today's theme, "professionals." Then I thought of this song, because several questions are in forms of "money vs. _________", such as "money vs fame" (Kevin), "money vs loyalty" (Chenling), "money/benefits vs ownership/freedom" (Frank). And one question is "If money is not an issue, would you...." (Lorraine).....Are you thinking of the song I'm thinking of?

Word of the Day 02/10/2014

Prestige


1. widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.

2. Admired and respected because it looks important and expensive


Example:   a prestige job

There is a lot of prestige attached to owning a car like this. 
                                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                                                Yeah,  I can definitely relate a lot to this. Nam also mentioned having a Cadillac is a prestige. So I played jokes with Loraine.

Table Topics 02/10/2014 Love and Marriage

Thanks Phil for his challenging but interesting table topic questions!



Love and marriage; Go together like a horse and carriage.  An old song from Frank Sinatra. Sherry won the prize. She told what the song is by listening just the prelude. Great job! 

1. “Do you think that arranged marriage will still work in 21st Century?”  >>>>Jian

Jian considered arrange marriage as a old version of online dating, which simplyprovides a channel for singles to know each other.  Very interesting. 

2.  What would your dream date be?  >>>>Mark 

3.  This Friday, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. What is your plan to impress your dream date? >>>> Lee (Guest)

4. An increasing number of couple now live together prior to getting married. What’s your thought of that? >>>> Sherry

I think it's a very tough question. Any moral related questions are tough. I like Sherry's answer because she emphasized both sides and expressed her personal opinion, avoiding acting like a judge. 

5.  As marriage consultant, your opinion of #1 reason of divorce? >>>>>Ruth (Guest)

Failure of commitment can be a large problem.---I like that
(There are family members) You'll cry in their funerals but never want to go vacation with them. ---very interesting statement


6. You probably heard prenuptial agreements from celebrities’ weddings but now they aren't just for the rich and famous, Will you consider a prenuptial agreement for marrying your love one? >>>> Daniel 

I've heard that sort of thing in Chinese, but never knew the English word. So, at least but not last, I learned something! Let me repeat it, prenuptial! 

I put it as a kind of protection, for both sides. It only protects people from material assets loss. But no material assets are more important than love, to me. But I respect and understand that material assets might very important to some others. That's their prestige. Word of the day. mission complete!

7. Describe your version of romantic getaway vacation.   >>>>> Stephen? 

8. If you’re granted a magic power to change your spouse only one thing BIGGER, what will it be and why? >>>> Sunny.  

Oh, What a confidential question! The answer should not be video taped!  :D
.....  so....neither did I take note about Sunny's answer. I remember nothing but I laughed hard. 

9. Another song was played. This time Ruth, the guest won the prize, it's "Love will keep us together." I don't remember where I heard it. After I went back home, I found out it once was used in the Mr. and Mrs. Smith. 

Your advises to married couples what to keep them together in addition to love? >>>> Nam 

Nam talked about how well he and his wife knew each other and learned to be more into each other's interests and hobbies. Wonderful love story! 

Love is not just a short-time passion but a genuine life-long life style. 


By the way, “Love will keep us together” was sung by Captain & (Toni) Tennille, who filed legal docs in Arizona, claiming the marriage was "irretrievably broken." They've been married for 39 years. 

Song of the Week 02/10/2014

Guess what's the song for this week?....
Of course, it's this "Love and Marriage" by Frank Sinatra.

I heard of Frank Sinatra because of that very famous <New York, New York>. and here is a short introduction of him.

Frank Sinatra was arguably the most important popular music figure of the 20th century, his only real rivals for the title being Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. In a professional career that lasted 60 years, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to maintain his appeal and pursue his musical goals despite often countervailing trends.

Song of the Week 01/27/2014

Ok, this is the song I mentioned in our "multiculturalism" night,--Englishman in New York by Sting.
In regards of the "I like my toast done on one side,"  there are some interesting discussions online. People, like me, are curious: Does a Englishman always have toast done on one side? This is so-called "cultural marker." If you are interested as well, Google it, I bet you will learn something new and insteresting about multiculturalism.





Englishman In New York

I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

Song of the Week 02/03/2014

This is the theme song of Peter Jackson's 2001 film The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

May It Be

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

Proposals for Toast Master Club 8894

Finally I finished the draft of the proposal two weeks after the staff meeting. Sorry about the delay. Here is some catch-up information for visitors. I’m the new VP of Membership since this year (2014). Also because I am actually the newest member in our club, I designed a questionnaire to know each member better. (The questionnaire can be downloaded here.) On January 20^th, we had a staff meeting to discuss my proposal, which was based on the responses of the questionnaire.  The meeting was very successful and I was encouraged to email everyone the proposals.

Whether you are members or visitors, please feel free sent us your comments and suggestions. We are very open-minded. We hope you can see our sincere resolutions to make difference for every member and this club as whole.

Thanks……… for your patience mostly. This will be a lengthy proposal. : P

Agenda Feb. 3, 2014

Download PDF file

Word of The Day 02/03/2014

Word of The Day 02/03/2014

Capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

"a capricious and often brutal administration"

synonyms:

fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, mercurial, volatile, unpredictable, temperamental; More

Why Things Happened (Script Draft)

Draft of my speech tonight (Feb. 3rd). Basic Project #4 How to Say It.  



I finished it last Saturday, so I didn't practice too much, which directly caused me very nervous at the green light reminder. I felt I still had another 50% to go at that moment. Fortunately, I finished it in time.